Scott Mitchell, Damien Woody join The Biggest Loser

Posted by Mike Florio on August 6, 2014, 4:49 PM EDT

During his playing career in Detroit, quarterback Scott Mitchell once put a pillow under his shirt, pretending to be coach Wayne Fontes. Now, Fontes may need the pillow to impersonate Mitchell. Or maybe a bean bag chair.

Mitchell, who has ballooned to 366 pounds, is one of the contestants on the next season of NBC’s The Biggest Loser. Joining Mitchell is former NFL offensive lineman Damien Woody, who currently is 12 pounds short of four spins.

The show premieres Thursday, September 11 at 8:00 p.m. ET. For all 20 contestants, dumping excess weight is an admirable goal.

Mitchell was last in the news in 2012, after former teammate Lomas Brown claimed that he intentionally missed a block to get Mitchell injured.

The Lions did have a couple of good seasons with Mitchell at the helm. In 1995, Herman Moore and Brett Perriman became the first WR duo to each catch more than 100 receptions in the same season. Barry Sanders had 1500 yards on the ground. that season the offense was firing on all cylinders.

The 1995 season started off poorly. After the loss at home (to the Cardinals), the shouting for Fontes head (in the Silverdome) was deafening. “Wayne must go! Wayne must go!”

Fans were mad. Players were also ticked. The offense was too predictable and seriously lame. That culminated in a players-only meeting that was basically a revolt against the coaches. Chris Spielman was one of leaders. The result of that little uprising was that the Lions started playing better. They even beat the Super Bowl Champ Niners (Steve Young/Jerry Rice edition) on MNF.

After starting 0-3, the Lions finished 10-6 and went to the playoffs. Lomas Brown talked an awful lot of smack before the playoff game with the Eagles (in Philly). He ended up eating his words. Rodney Peete (now an Eagle) made fools of his old Lions teammates. Detroit got waxed like Brazilians, 58-37. At the end of the first half the score was a humiliating 38-0. It was ugly. Very depressing day to be a Lions fan. I didn’t even bother watching the second half.

At the end of the season, the Lions kept Wayne Fontes but let go of Chris Spielman. Not a choice I would have made. Spielman was the heart and soul of the team — especially the defense. As far as fans were concerned, he walked on water.

I think Pepper Johnson was the guy the Lions acquired to replace Spielman (in 96), and Johnson was useless.